often attributive
1
: a period of time
also
: its duration
2
3
: one of the degrees between or above or below the lines of a musical staff compare line
4
a
: a boundless three-dimensional extent in which objects and events occur and have relative position and direction
infinite space and time
b
: physical space independent of what occupies it
called also absolute space
5
: the region beyond the earth's atmosphere or beyond the solar system
6
a
: a blank area separating words or lines
b
: material used to produce such blank area
especially
: a piece of type less than one en in width
7
: a set of mathematical elements and especially of abstractions of all the points on a line, in a plane, or in physical space
especially
: a set of mathematical entities with a set of axioms of geometric character compare metric space, topological space, vector space
8
a
: linage
b
: broadcast time available especially to advertisers
9
: accommodations on a public vehicle
10
a
: the opportunity to assert or experience one's identity or needs freely
b
: an opportunity for privacy or time to oneself
spaced; spacing
: to place at intervals or arrange with space between
Evenly space 16 tablespoons of shredded cheese on the baking sheet …—
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
—often used with outThe Milwaukee Journal SentinelSpace out the work you plan to do … Don't try to crowd too much into each day.—Darlene Polachic
Darlene Polachic1
: to leave one or more blank spaces (as in a line of typing)
2
informal
: to fail to remember something : forget
… I totally forgot to write last week. I had planned to do it, I had it all figured out, and I spaced.—Steve "Nookie" Postal
—often used with on
Steve "Nookie" PostalIf your mom doesn't live close by, or if you totally spaced on getting her a Mother's Day gift this year, then flowers or chocolates are a great, last-minute gift idea that are sure to brighten her day.—Leah Stodart
see also space out
Leah StodartSynonyms
Examples of space in a Sentence
Noun
There's still some space for a bookshelf.
the space behind the couch
Is there space in the cabinet for these dishes?
There's not much empty space.
He moved the books to create more space on his desk.
Those old boxes take up a lot of space.
The magazine devotes a lot of space to advertising.
She has a space between her front teeth.
There isn't much space between our houses.
the wide open spaces of the western U.S.
Verb
Space the seedlings about six inches apart.
He spaces his albums so that he puts one out every two to three years.
They spaced the births of their three children two years apart.
Recent Examples on the Web
Melissa Houston, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024
In 1957, the Soviet Union launched Sputnik, the world’s first satellite into space.
—Reynold Verret, Fortune, 27 Nov. 2024
Rabekah Henderson, Southern Living, 1 Nov. 2024
Of course, the young ball club wasn't entirely ready, in large part due to a spacing concern that hindered their offensive efficiency.
—Morten Stig Jensen, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for space 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
Initiatives like Hero House create spaces where founders, researchers, and investors come together to exchange ideas and build lasting connections.
—Melissa Houston, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024
In 1957, the Soviet Union launched Sputnik, the world’s first satellite into space.
—Reynold Verret, Fortune, 27 Nov. 2024
Verb
Make sure they're evenly spaced around the center agitator.
—Rabekah Henderson, Southern Living, 1 Nov. 2024
Of course, the young ball club wasn't entirely ready, in large part due to a spacing concern that hindered their offensive efficiency.
—Morten Stig Jensen, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for space
Dictionary Entries Near space
Cite this Entry
“Space.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/space. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
space
1 of 2 noun1
: a period of time
2
3
: the limitless three-dimensional extent in which all things exist and move
4
: the region beyond the earth's atmosphere
5
: a blank area separating words or lines
6
: an available seat on a public vehicle
space
2 of 2 verb
spaced; spacing
: to place with space between
space out the chairs one foot apart
Medical Definition
space
noun1
: a period of time
also
: its duration
2
: a limited extent in one, two, or three dimensions
3
: a particular area or cavity within the body
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